The third-year grant program empowers Darden restaurants to award a $1,000 grant to support community programs. Olive Garden in Buford and Red Lobster in Gainesville chose Elachee to receive the donation from their specific locations.

The donation will enable Elachee to continue conservation efforts in the 1,400-acre Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve for residents and visitors to enjoy.

“We appreciate this opportunity to partner with Darden Restaurants for improving trail access and conditions as well as conservation within the nature preserve for our 30,000 visitors a year,” Elachee CEO and President Andrea Timpone said.

Darden’s Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, Eddie V’s and Yard House brands participated in the program. Many restaurants and brands worked together to award one nonprofit organization with a larger grant and make a greater impact in their community. Nonprofits receiving grants support one of Darden’s three key focus areas: education, preservation of natural resources and hunger relief.